The reproduction and diet of Egernia kingii (Reptilia : Scincidae) on Penguin Island, Western Australia

Abstract

A population of King's Skinks, Egernia kingii, a large (220 g) scincid lizard, on Penguin Island, near Perth, Western Australia, contained mainly adults. Males were sexually mature at a snout–vent length of 190 mm and females at 185 mm. The sexes were similar in most dimensions, but males had proportionately wider heads than females. Females ovulated in late November and gave birth in mid–late April, after a 20–22-week gestation. Most litters comprised 4–6 (range 2–8) young that averaged 7 g and had a snout–vent length of 60–80 mm. Growth to adult size appeared slow and juvenile mortality heavy, so that most adults are probably long-lived. King's skinks were active throughout the year and consumed mainly soft plant material from the range of plants available, supplemented by insects and seabird eggs.